Kenneth Gebhard Martin

Kenneth Gebhard Martin was born to Henry and Lois Martin in Wichita Falls, on December 27, 1945. He grew up in Wichita Falls and graduated high school in 1964. After high school, he went to pharmacy school at the University of Houston. It was there that he met the love of his life, Carole, in 1965 and they married in 1967. Ken finished pharmacy school in 1968 and then he and Carole moved to Gainesville, TX. Ken was drafted for service in the Vietnam War from 1969 - 1970 and served in the pharmacy. Carole, pregnant at the time, moved back to Normangee. When Ken finished his Army service, they moved into the house where he lived for the rest of his life.

Once he was settled back in Normangee, Ken began working as a pharmacist in Madisonville, eventually buying Walkers' Pharmacy in 1974. It was there that he worked for thirty-four years. Ken sold Walkers' Pharmacy in 2008, began working for Brookshire's, and spending more and more time ranching, which was what he was doing on the morning that he finally met his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Through his life, Ken impacted countless people he came across, at Walker's Pharmacy, at any one of his boys' activities, and eventually on to his grandkids and their activities. He was characterized by always smiling, always being ready with a joke or funny story, and being able to recall details of long forgotten stories. 

Ken was a steady presence in life for many people and loved finding ways to help others. He sought to do what he knew to be right, by following the command to "love your neighbor as yourself." He did this in the pharmacy, at the ranch, around town or wherever he might be. He also never met a stranger and was always willing and able to start a conversation with anyone, anytime, anyplace. 

Ken was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife, Carole; his older sister and her husband, Jois and Alan Ross; and his brother-in-law, Louis Westmoreland. 

He is survived by his son, Kevin Martin of College Station and his wife, Kelli and their son, Kolby; his son, Brian Martin of Fort Worth and his wife, Jena and their sons, Cab, Caden, Solomon; and great-grandson, Sekai and great-granddaughter, Neveyah; and his son, Brad Martin of Dallas and his wife, Amy and their kids, Ellie, Jack, and Annie. 

A time of visitation will be held at the First Baptist Church in Normangee, Texas on Thursday, November 7, 2024, from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. A funeral service officiated by Rev. Waylan Martin is scheduled for Friday, November 8, 2024, also at First Baptist Church of Normangee. The service will begin at 2 P.M., and burial will follow at the Hopewell Cemetery.

Family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made in Ken's name to either Rufus Refuge, P.O. Box 1385, Madisonville, Texas 77864 or click this link to make a donation: Donate to Rufus Refuge, or Normangee ISD School Library, P.O. Box 219, Normangee, Texas, 77871.

Final arrangements for Ken Martin are under the compassionate care and direction of Madisonville Funeral Home, Madisonville, Texas.